Did Jordyn Woods violate her NDA with the Kardashians on ‘Red Table Talk’? A legal expert weighs in.
[Source: Yahoo! Finance]
Khloé Kardashian already came for Jordyn Woods on Twitter following the 21-year-old’s sit-down on Red Table Talk — but will Kris Jenner and Co. come for Woods legally over the appearance?
According to reports, the Kardashians were interested to see whether Woods violated terms of her nondisclosure agreement when she talked with Jada Pinkett-Smith on Friday’s episode. Kylie Jenner‘s best friend went on the show to defend herself over reports she cheated with Tristan Thompson, the father of Khloé’s 10-month-old daughter, True, last month. Per TMZ, Woods — who has appeared on both Keeping Up With the Kardashians and Life of Kylie — previously signed a NDA, which prohibits her from discussing private details about the lives of the Kardashian-Jenners. She had been close with the family for over a decade.
Christopher Melcher, founding partner of Los Angeles-based Walzer Melcher family law firm, which represents celebrities and high net-worth individuals, tells Yahoo the Kardashians will have a difficult time making a case in court.
“A nondisclosure agreement requires someone to keep quiet about the details of another person’s life or business. Celebrities ask for NDAs from employees or romantic partners at the beginning or end of those relationships,” he explains. “People who sign NDAs are usually cautious about revealing anything about the celebrity because they do not want to be sued for violating the agreement. An NDA is largely a scare tactic to convince someone to keep quiet.”
While we don’t know any specifics of the NDA Woods signed, Melcher believes it likely doesn’t matter.
“NDAs are a worthless piece of paper unless the celebrity can show a financial loss occurred due to the disclosure of information in violation of the agreement,” he says. “If Jordyn signed an NDA saying she wouldn’t utter a word about the Kardashians, and then goes on [Red Table Talk] and spills the beans, sure the Kardashians can sue.
“But what are the consequences? Ultimately, the Kardashians would have to show that they suffered financial harm,” he adds. “The court would likely conclude that yes, the NDA was violated but no damages occurred as a result.”
Melcher continues, “What incentive does Jordyn have to be quiet when she can go on a show and get publicity for herself? Even if the NDA assigns a $10 million penalty for violating the contract, the judge is not going to award any money to the Kardashians unless they can show they’ve actually been harmed. It will be very difficult to show damages.”
In fact, many detractors believe the exact opposite is happening. On Red Table Talk, Woods actually shut down speculation the drama was simply drummed up for the cameras. (Keeping Up With the Kardashians is currently in production and Season 16 returns to E! on March 31.) Last season, the show addressed Thompson’s first cheating scandal although it’s unclear how the current situation will unfold on TV.
On Pinkett-Smith’s show, Woods denied that she and Thompson made out or hooked up, claiming nothing happened other than a “kiss” initiated by the NBA player. She tearfully apologized for putting herself in the situation.
“I’m no homewrecker,” an emotional Woods declared. “I would never try to hurt someone’s home, especially someone that I love and someone who has a beautiful daughter. I would never try to steal someone’s man. I don’t need your situation. I just hurt so many more people by not telling the truth.” She added, “I know I’m not the reason that Khloé and Tristan aren’t together.”
But that’s not how Khloé sees it. “Why are you lying @jordynwoods ??” she tweeted. “BTW, You ARE the reason my family broke up!”
By Taryn Ryder March 1, 2019
